Why Men Are Settling For Mrs. Good Enough

to the YourTango newsletter!

FIND AN EXPERT
Advanced SearchKimberly SeltzerDr. Erica  GoodstoneJennifer Chappell Marsh MFT Intern #65184
ProConnect

Lent: Lessons To Learn From Ash Wednesday [EXPERT]

By . Posted on .

Lent: Lessons To Learn From Ash Wednesday [EXPERT]
Don't let a barrier get in the way of making your goal a reality!
Starting over on a goal is usually depressing but Ash Wednesday teaches us to celebrate instead!

“Remember that you are dust and to dust, you shall return.” This Biblical verse is one that many hear during an Ash Wednesday service, marking the beginning of Lent. It is commonly said as ashes are placed on their forehead. For those involved, this is a powerful reminder of our mortality and the need for both confession and repentance.

Creating a new start in our own lives is very similar. A new start is most likely to succeed if we start by setting aside the old and the things we have not done the way we should. The beginning of Lent can be a time of a new start but the lessons of this season can be applied anytime. Preparing for this can be important, however, when it is starting over again, Ash Wednesday teaches us another important lesson. 6 Steps To Avoid Temptation: Lessons From Shrove Tuesday EXPERT

Another phrase heard during the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday is, “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.” While the first part of this phrase talks about the repentance and setting up to avoid doing what is wrong in the future, the last part is part of the gift of Ash Wednesday. For Christians celebrating this day, they are reminded of the way that the Gospel has been steady. What will be celebrated in the new life, when living as they should , that was part of the promise before needing to restart. That promise is not dead and can be reclaimed.

In fact, part of the process of reclaiming the promise is to remember the joy, the celebration and the original promise. Aside from Ash Wednesday, for you, is this about being on a path to lose weight, to be in healthier relationships, to work on your education or to stop smoking? When you first started moving that way, you celebrated the idea of where you were going to end up. You celebrated the promise of where your journey would be leading. 10 Steps To Connect With Your Spirituality While Depressed

Similarly, each year Christians celebrate the full set of promises with shouts of “Hosanna!” on Palm Sunday which is the proclamation of their king. The joy and hopes are expressed in the use of palms in worship. Those very palms are then burnt to make the ashes to be administered on Ash Wednesday. The very ability to restart, the very acts of penance is rooted in the original celebration. There the ability to start over finds its root. In doing so, each person is able to get back to shouting “Hosanna!” at the end of Lent on Palm Sunday.

In your case, your progress towards your promises has not gone the way that you wanted it to go. This does not mean that everything is over. Go back to the promise you celebrated when you started on your journey. Use those very promises to convict yourself for where you have gone wrong and to encourage you to do what you need to do to get back to celebrating the promises of what you need or want to seek. It is possible for you to find wholeness and peace, even when you have stumbled and need to restart. Advice: My Family Isn't Supporting My Health Goals VIDEO
 

To Read Great Sex Advice:

Article contributed by
Advanced Member

The Rev. Christopher Smith

Author, Clergy, Counselor/Therapist, Marriage Educator, Mediator, Pastoral Counselor, Rabbi/Clergy/Pastoral Counseling, Speaker/Presenter, YourTango Expert Partner

The Rev. Christopher L. Smith, LMFT has served as a national leader around mental health issues both within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and in professional counseling organizations.  He works directly with individuals, couples, families and supervisees as the Clinical Director of Seeking Shalom in New York City.  He also brings his insight to help a wider audience through writing, speaking and consultations.

Location: New York, NY
Credentials: Church, LAC, LMFT, LMHC, MDiv, MS, Other, SAP
Specialties: Couples/Marital Issues, Family Therapy, Spiritual/Religious
Other Articles/News by The Rev. Christopher Smith:

Finding Hope: 5 Lessons from Easter [EXPERT]

By

Many things can bring you to the point of despair. Learning that your spouse has cheated on you; finding out about the secret past of a partner that was kept secret even from you; the sudden death of a family member; the loss of your home - all of these events and many more can bring you to the point of despair. Despair is a natural reaction but is one that ... Read more

Sudden Changes In Life: 5 Lessons From Passover [EXPERT]

By

Many things can drastically and suddenly change our lives. With the economy, we all know people who were doing well (or at least okay) who lost their job and as a result their whole world changed. Another person's life may be changed when their spouse is injured in a car accident or diagnosed with cancer. And for another person, the change may be the result ... Read more

Conflict In The Family: 4 Lessons From Maundy Thursday [EXPERT]

By

If you are like most people, you experience some form of conflict within your family whether it is just two of you, involves children or even the extended family.  Sometimes this conflict can be  just in the situation, but there are also times that it runs deeper.  There are even times that trust has been severely broken and you do not trust ... Read more

See More

Recent Expert Posts
Press Conference

DeMistyfy Your Dating: Radio Interview: [EXPERT]

And yes, we spelled it that way for a reason! Listen to this humorous interview of Spike and learn!

Running Woman

Post-Divorce Growth…After They Go, Grow [EXPERT]

Identify your positive changes post-divorce. Make it a growth experience!

No Love

Married and Fighting? It May Signify a Solid Relationship

Married couples can be too harmonious. Find out how much discord creates dynamic relationships.

Have a dating or relationship question?
Ask it here and one of our experts will answer it.

Resources
How to find the right pro for you
10 Reasons Mental Health Pros Should Join YourTango Experts

10 Reasons Mental Health Pros Should Join YourTango Experts

YourTango Experts can help your business go from good to great.

10 Steps To Improve Your Coaching Business

Take your coaching business from mediocre to great in no time…

Frequently Asked Questions About YourTango Experts

Thinking of joining? Here's all the facts you need to know to make the most of your membership.

Getting Your Guy To Join You In A Therapy Or Coaching Session

So how can your get your strong, self-reliant, superman to talk to an Expert with you?

Therapist/Counselors: Who We Are & What We Do

What exactly does a therapist/counselor do and can they really help?

See more resources>
FROM OUR PARTNERS